14 years for rape convict

Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul yesterday convicted and sentenced one Karim Camara, a resident of Latrikunda German and a tailor by profession, to14-year imprisonment for rape.

The trial judge in delivering his judgment stated that the convicted person was arraigned on 29th December 2009 for raping an underage girl in 2009 at Latrikunda German, and that he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He said the prosecution in support of its case called five witnesses, whereas the defence did not call any witness.

He added that the convicted person in his statement at the police, confessed to committing the offence, but later denied the charge in court.

Justice Ikpala further stated that, according to the evidence before the court, the convicted person raped the girl-child when she was seven years old at his tailoring shop in Latrikunda German.

The trial judge added that the prosecution witnesses gave tangible evidence against the accused person.

Justice Ikpala was convinced that the prosecution proved its case beyond all reasonable doubts and, therefore, found the accused person guilty as charged.

He consequently convicted and sentenced him accordingly, after a plea of mitigation by his counsel.